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A review by rjkamaladasa
Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain by John J. Ratey
4.0
This book is more for the policy maker than for the fitness enthusiast. If you've already established an exercise regime, you might feel that the author could've done a bit more. For example, which types of exercises increase what type of neurotransmitters, or perhaps what type of training regiment would you want to focus on if you have a certain ailment? But if you're a teacher, parent, or an education policymaker this might be the book for you.
As with most brain-based non-fiction books in the market today, Spark goes through various empirical examples to drive the point in. How the Naperville school district managed to get the best results consecutively for years by incorporating an innovative physical-ed class before tough classes is hammered to death in several chapters. And the inquisitive reader is left with the question "well that's a nice correlation, but do you have a conclusive theory that has been tested and that can be used to analyze and treat my condition?" Maybe the science isn't there yet, maybe the author didn't do enough research, maybe it's impossible to formulate a general physiological theory of exercise that fits most humans? Whatever the reason, the book doesn't convey it clearly.
But if you can get past that expectation, this is actually a pretty nice read. What the book repeatedly says is that exercise is good for you. And not just exercise alone, but also exercise that incorporates the social aspect (like dancing or yoga) and also how to maintain the incentive for exercise by incorporating challenges like beating your own records etc.
The book touches on how exercise increases the human growth hormone (BDNF) and GABA- the natural calming agent of the brain.
It also contains anecdotal evidence that exercise can decrease depression without the use of anti-depressants and their notorious side-effects. The examples on how a parent made significant strides in a custody battle by starting to exercise regularly and how a man regained his enthusiasm for his relationships and life are uplifting real life personal examples that the author draws upon. They give enough fuel to make you want to go out and exercise right now than. But again, it's a guide for those who need convincing to stop sitting around and do some exercise, than an actual scientific reference that you can rely on to change the way you exercise.
As with most brain-based non-fiction books in the market today, Spark goes through various empirical examples to drive the point in. How the Naperville school district managed to get the best results consecutively for years by incorporating an innovative physical-ed class before tough classes is hammered to death in several chapters. And the inquisitive reader is left with the question "well that's a nice correlation, but do you have a conclusive theory that has been tested and that can be used to analyze and treat my condition?" Maybe the science isn't there yet, maybe the author didn't do enough research, maybe it's impossible to formulate a general physiological theory of exercise that fits most humans? Whatever the reason, the book doesn't convey it clearly.
But if you can get past that expectation, this is actually a pretty nice read. What the book repeatedly says is that exercise is good for you. And not just exercise alone, but also exercise that incorporates the social aspect (like dancing or yoga) and also how to maintain the incentive for exercise by incorporating challenges like beating your own records etc.
The book touches on how exercise increases the human growth hormone (BDNF) and GABA- the natural calming agent of the brain.
It also contains anecdotal evidence that exercise can decrease depression without the use of anti-depressants and their notorious side-effects. The examples on how a parent made significant strides in a custody battle by starting to exercise regularly and how a man regained his enthusiasm for his relationships and life are uplifting real life personal examples that the author draws upon. They give enough fuel to make you want to go out and exercise right now than. But again, it's a guide for those who need convincing to stop sitting around and do some exercise, than an actual scientific reference that you can rely on to change the way you exercise.